---
pageType: source
id: source.alliance-selection
title: alliance-selection
sourceType: local-file
sourcePath: /home/topher/.openclaw/workspace-2890-bot/docs/alliance-selection.md
ingestedAt: 2026-05-02T21:22:44.471Z
updatedAt: 2026-05-02T21:22:44.471Z
status: active
growth: tree
---

# alliance-selection

## Source
- Type: `local-file`
- Path: `/home/topher/.openclaw/workspace-2890-bot/docs/alliance-selection.md`
- Bytes: 2455
- Updated: 2026-05-02T21:22:44.471Z

## Content
````text
# FRC Alliance Selection — Pick Order

**Reference:** 2025 Game Manual Section 11 / FMS Manual

## The Serpentine Draft

8 alliances (Alliances 1–8). Each alliance gets **2 picks total** — one per round.

### Round 1 — Ascending (captains pick in order 1 → 8)
- Pick 1: Alliance 1 Captain
- Pick 2: Alliance 2 Captain
- Pick 3: Alliance 3 Captain
- Pick 4: Alliance 4 Captain
- Pick 5: Alliance 5 Captain
- Pick 6: Alliance 6 Captain
- Pick 7: Alliance 7 Captain
- Pick 8: Alliance 8 Captain

### Round 2 — Descending (order reverses: 8 → 1)
- Pick 9: Alliance 8 (second pick, back-to-back with Pick 8)
- Pick 10: Alliance 7
- Pick 11: Alliance 6
- Pick 12: Alliance 5
- Pick 13: Alliance 4
- Pick 14: Alliance 3
- Pick 15: Alliance 2 (second pick)
- Pick 16: Alliance 1

## Full Pick Order

```
1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1
```

Each number = the Alliance Captain whose turn it is to pick.

- **Round 1:** 1→8 (ascending), one pick each
- **Round 2:** 8→1 (descending), one pick each — BUT Alliance 8 picks twice in a row at the start (picks 9 & 10), and Alliance 1 picks twice in a row at the end (picks 15 & 16)

## Key Notes

- **Alliance 8 does NOT pick second overall** — they pick 8th in Round 1, then immediately pick again in Round 2 (picks 9 & 10 back-to-back)
- **Alliance 1** picks 1st in Round 1, then last in Round 2 (picks 15 & 16 back-to-back)
- **Captains choose any available team** — not just the next-ranked available. A captain can pick any team that hasn't been drafted yet, regardless of ranking. Teams often pick strategically based on complementary capabilities, scouting data, robot strengths, or matchup needs — not just raw EPA. For example, Alliance 8 might pick a highly-ranked defensive bot instead of the 2nd-ranked overall if it fits their playoff strategy.
- If a team declines, the scorekeeper clicks "Decline" — they become unavailable
- If a team doesn't make a pick in time, that slot is skipped (Alliance Selection continues)
- 45 seconds per pick in Round 1, 90 seconds in Round 2

## Why Serpentine?

The reversal balances the draft — Alliance 1 (top seed) gets first pick in Round 1 but last pick in Round 2. Alliance 8 (8th seed) gets last pick in Round 1 but first pick in Round 2. Prevents the top seed from always getting the best strategic advantage.

---

_Last verified: 2026-04-12 (game manual 2025 section 11)_

````

## Notes
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